Les Misérables coming to Kimberley

Les Misérables has been in the news this year, with a new major motion picture in the works. It’s also going to hit the stage in Kimberley, when Selkirk Secondary raises the curtains on February 13, 2013.

Directed by Bob McCue and Sven Heyde, the team that brought The Sound of Music to the McKim stage in 2011, Les Mis finished auditions in the middle of September and is already into the second week of rehearsals.

“We have a tremendous cast,” said McCue of the more than 40 students involved in this production.

“This is the largest cast in a Selkirk production that we’ve seen, and it also includes many younger actors. We’re also excited that we were able to fill every role with SD6 students. This is proof that the musical theatre programs in Kimberley are thriving and growing.”

Heyde, in charge of music again, is thrilled to be working with such a great group of singers.

The orchestra will also be very strong, with a few exceptional students and over 15 local semi- and professional musicians volunteering their time.

“The music for this show is incredibly beautiful, and much of it is very difficult,” Heyde said. “So far we’ve seen a phenomenal work ethic from the actors. It’s going to be a great show.”

Set in the early 1800s in France, Les Misérables follows the hero, Jean Valjean, as he goes from a life of crime to become a noble, honest man. He is doggedly pursued throughout the show by police inspector Javert.

Along the way he adopts the young girl Cosette from her dying mother Fantine, a former employee at his factory, and raises her as his daughter.

Upon reaching adulthood, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a student in Paris. Marius, however, is about to follow Enjolras, the leader of the students, into a revolution.

All of these stories and more intertwine, and are propelled forward by Claude-Michel Schoenberg’s incredible score.

Gustaf Hagland will play the role of Jean Valjean, with Gaetan Boué playing opposite him as Inspector Javert. Aria Siega will play Cosette, with Emery Hoko playing as Young Cosette. Enjolras will be played by Clara MacLeod, with Connor Klassen playing Marius. Eponine will be played by Devin Fikis, and Gemma Remple-Hockey will play Fantine. Gavroche will be played by Declan Armstrong. The Thenardiers, whom audiences love to hate, will be played by Blake Sharpe and Jordan Anderson.

No production could come off without an incredibly strong team, and Les Mis is certainly no exception.

Sioban Staplin will return to do costumes, Penny Flegel will be in charge of props, Ryan Treber and his woodshop students at Selkirk will be building sets, Tessa Rokosh will be choreographing the show, and Frida Viklund will be the photographer.

Les Misérables will play at McKim Theatre February 13-16, 2013. Tickets will go on sale in the new year.

Please come join us for what we are confident will be an outstanding production.